Drugs and Consciousness

    Psychoactive Drug  a chemical substance that alters perceptions and mood (change consciousness) Physical Dependence  physiological need for a drug  marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms Psychological Dependence  a psychological need to use a drug  for example, to relieve negative emotions Addiction – compulsive drug craving and use

Addiction

 Odds of getting hooked after trying various drugs: • Marijuana – 9% • Alcohol – 15% • Cocaine – 17% • Heroin – 23% • Tobacco – 32% – Source: National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine (Brody, 2003)

Dependence and Addiction

Big effect Drug effect Response to first exposure Little effect Small After repeated exposure, more drug is needed to produce same effect

  Tolerance  diminishing effect with regular use Withdrawal  discomfort and distress that follow discontinued use

Large Drug dose

How do they work?

 Drugs change the way our neurotransmitters work.

1.

2.

3.

Agonists : bind to receptor sites and mimic neurotransmitters Antagonists : bind to receptor sites and prevent neurotransmitters from binding Others work by increasing or decreasing release of specific neurotransmitters

Psychoactive Drugs

1.

 Depressants drugs that reduce neural activity   slow body functions Includes alcohol, barbiturates, opiates 2.

  Stimulants drugs that excite neural activity speed up body functions  caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine

Psychoactive Drugs

3.

 Hallucinogens (Psychedelics)  psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input LSD, Psilocybin, Marijuana

Depressants

 Barbiturates (tranquilizers)  drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and judgment  Nembutal    Seconal Amytal Valium

Barbiturates (tranquilizers)

   Prescribed as sleeping pills - reduce anxiety, reduce respiration, reduce blood pressure, reduce heart rate and reduce rapid eye movement (REM)sleep.

Overdose is lethal High potential for physical and psychological addiction.

Depressants

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Opiates

  opium and its derivatives (such as morphine and heroin) opiates depress neural activity, temporarily lessening pain and anxiety  Analgesic – painkiller / drug that relieves pain.

Depressants

 Alcohol • Most widely used and abused recreational drug in America.

• • Loss of inhibition, Memory problems, poor coordination, suppress breathing, reduces self-awareness, permanent brain and liver damage High potential for physical and psychological addiction.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Stimulants

 • • • • Cocaine Causes self-confidence, euphoria, optimism Short high increases short term tolerance Crack (cocaine, ammonia, water, baking soda) is fast-acting, potent, solid High potential for physical and psychological dependence

Cocaine Euphoria and Crash

Stimulants

 Ecstasy (MDMA)     Hallucinogenic amphetamine Visual hallucinations, hyperactivity, fatigue, poor concentration Long term effects include permanent brain damage and panic disorder Low potential for physical and psychological dependence

Stimulants

 Amphetamines   drugs that stimulate neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy and mood changes Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine  Prescribed for ADHD, weight loss, narcolepsy, congestion

Stimulants

 Methamphetamines • Crystal-like powered substance, usually rock-like solid chucks • • Amateur production – Acetone, chloroform, ammonia, chloric acid, ether used to break down ephedrine Short rush/flash usually creates long binges

Stimulants

 Methamphetamines  Before Meth – 1998 After - 2002  “Faces of Meth”

Stimulants

 Nicotine • • • Elevated moods, improved memory, increase in attention Major risk for cancer and heart disease Strong psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms

Stimulants

 Caffeine • • Reduces drowsiness, improves problem solving ability, induces anxiety, causes tremors A moderate potential exists for physical and psychological dependence

Hallucinogens

 LSD     (acid) lysergic acid diethylamide most powerful hallucinogenic drug Short term memory loss, paranoia, flashbacks, panic attacks Low potential for physical or psychological dependence

Hallucinogens

 PCP (Angel Dust) • • Euphoria, hallucinations, violent tendencies, masking of pain High potential for physical and psychological dependence

Hallucinogens

 Psilocybin Mushrooms • • Nausea first, then distorted perceptions, paranoia, nervousness • Depends on user’s mood, expectations, surroundings, frame of mind, etc Flashbacks, HPPD • HPPD – Hallucination Persisting Perception Disorder

Hallucinogens

 Mescaline (isolated from Peyote) • Euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, vomiting, headaches, rapid temp fluctuations • Low potential for physical dependence • DXM • Cough suppressing ingredient in Robotussin

Hallucinogens

 THC      the major active ingredient in marijuana triggers a variety of effects, including mild hallucinations, euphoria, relaxation, time distortion, short term memory loss Originates from hemp plant Low potential for physical or psychological dependence DRUG AWARENESS QUIZ

Psychoactive Drugs

Trends in Drug Use

80% High school seniors reporting drug use 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Alcohol Marijuana/ hashish Cocaine 0 1975 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99 Year

Bio-Psycho-Social Context

Perceived Marijuana Risk

Percent of twelfth graders 100% 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Perceived “great risk of harm” in marijuana use Used marijuana ‘75 ‘77 ‘79 ‘81 ‘83 ‘85 ‘87 ‘89 ‘91 ‘93 ‘95 ‘97 ‘99 Year

Near-Death Experiences

 Near-Death Experience  an altered state of consciousness reported after a close brush with death  often similar to drug induced hallucinations

Near-Death Experiences

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Dualism

 the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact

Monism

 the presumption that mind and body are different aspects of the same thing